ANC determined to reclaim its space after PE by-election defeat
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape said the loss of the highly contested Ward 30 by-election in Veeplaas and KwaMagxaki to the United Democratic Movement (UDM) calls for urgent introspection. ANC provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane said on Thursday that the ANC was determined to reclaim its space and that the party's election plan was clear.“The loss of these by-elections is a compelling statement that calls for an urgent inward introspection [of] our internal arrangements‚ systems and approach‚” said Qoboshiyane.The UDM’s victory has reduced the ANC’s majority in the Nelson Mandela Bay council to 62 seats out of 120.The ward covers the ANC’s historical backyard township of Veeplaas‚ a largely informal settlement‚ and the upmarket KwaMagxaki suburb. The UDM’s Mandla Louis Faltein won against the ANC’s Sizakele Lawrence Mnqamisa‚ as well as Democratic Alliance’s Mandla Louis Faltein.The ward was previously represented by the ANC and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.Ward 30 was abuzz on Wednesday as residents came in droves to cast their ballots in the highly contested by-election.The ANC‚ DA and UDM were out in force from early in the day‚ setting up branded stalls and displaying party regalia outside each of the five voting stations. -Daily Dispatch..
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